Super User Bankbeater Posted October 31, 2015 Super User Posted October 31, 2015 I have an Abu 5600 C4. One of the blue ones. The pawl has gone out in the thing and it is piling line up on one side of the spool. Nothing else is wrong with it and it is a tank. It can handle anything in the lake. Here is the problem. I bought this reel used about 10 years ago. The reel was probably already 10 years old when I bought it. Should I fix the level wind on a 20 year old reel, or put it on the shelf with the other reels I have used over the years? Quote
Super User webertime Posted October 31, 2015 Super User Posted October 31, 2015 It's a $2 part. Get one and repair, at least then it's usable if you need a reel. 6 Quote
Molay1292 Posted October 31, 2015 Posted October 31, 2015 Shelf it Why would you shelf it, can you share on your thoughts a little. 1 Quote
Super User gulfcaptain Posted October 31, 2015 Super User Posted October 31, 2015 If it's a simple fix and you can find the part, fix it, especially if you enjoy fishing with it. If you are looking to upgrade it with something else, then do that, but fix it and shelf it for another time when you may want to use it for something. 1 Quote
Basswhippa Posted October 31, 2015 Posted October 31, 2015 Cheap and easy fix. Those are one of the few parts that wear regularly on that reel. Otherwise mostly bullet proof and will last many years, sometimes decades or even generations. 1 Quote
Delaware Valley Tackle Posted October 31, 2015 Posted October 31, 2015 That's a perfectly fish able reel. The best step is to replace the pawl and worm gear as a set. Sounds as if a deep cleaning may be beneficial as well. I'll take care of both if you'd like. If you send it provide your screen name for a 10% discount. 4 Quote
Super User gulfcaptain Posted October 31, 2015 Super User Posted October 31, 2015 That's a perfectly fish able reel. The best step is to replace the pawl and worm gear as a set. Sounds as if a deep cleaning may be beneficial as well. I'll take care of both if you'd like. If you send it provide your screen name for a 10% discount. There you go, problem solved. 1 Quote
WPCfishing Posted October 31, 2015 Posted October 31, 2015 Why would you shelf it, can you share on your thoughts a little. For a $100.00 he can buy a new reel that's light years better. For $200.00 it will weigh less than half of that old winder. 1 Quote
GetJigginWithIt Posted October 31, 2015 Posted October 31, 2015 My personal thought is fix it. But I get attached to my stuff. 2 Quote
Molay1292 Posted November 1, 2015 Posted November 1, 2015 For a $100.00 he can buy a new reel that's light years better. For $200.00 it will weigh less than half of that old winder I hear what you're saying, what do you think makes today's 100 dollar reels, light years better? 1 Quote
Snakehead Whisperer Posted November 1, 2015 Posted November 1, 2015 I'd fix it, if it were me. Those old C4's are workhorses. I understand the idea that they're a little heavier than contemporary reels, but on a well balanced outfit it's hardly noticeable. Great reels for fast/shallow cranking, like squarebills or wakebaits. 1 Quote
WPCfishing Posted November 1, 2015 Posted November 1, 2015 I hear what you're saying, what do you think makes today's 100 dollar reels, light years better?Design, materials, weight, bearings, brakes..I started using bait casters in the early 80's. Back then I owned Shimano Bantams and Bantam Mags. They were the start of the current designs. Those reels were $100-$130 at the time. You can buy a supreme today for $80.00 on eBay that blows them away. Very few backlashes, casting distance. 1 Quote
WPCfishing Posted November 1, 2015 Posted November 1, 2015 fix it Fix it then shelf it. Buy a Calcutta. 2 Quote
BobP Posted November 1, 2015 Posted November 1, 2015 I have reels from the 1970's which are good to go and also have sentimental value. Would a $200 Calcutta be better to use? Sure would. But if the reel is a pleasure to use and functions properly there's really no reason to go that route unless a new reel would have enhanced performance - and that would depend on what you use the old reel for. 1 Quote
Super User *Hootie Posted November 1, 2015 Super User Posted November 1, 2015 For a $100.00 he can buy a new reel that's light years better. For $200.00 it will weigh less than half of that old winder. Bet it won't cost $200.00 to fix it. Bet it won't even cost $100.00. However, I may be a little prejudiced here. I learned bass fishing with the old red Ambassadeur 5000 reels back in the 60's. Hootie 3 Quote
RAMBLER Posted November 1, 2015 Posted November 1, 2015 For a $100.00 he can buy a new reel that's light years better. For $200.00 it will weigh less than half of that old winder. For $30,000.00 I can buy a new car instead fixing the flat tire on my old one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 4 Quote
Super User new2BC4bass Posted November 1, 2015 Super User Posted November 1, 2015 For $30,000.00 I can buy a new car instead fixing the flat tire on my old one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yup. Rambler has the right attitude! Seriously, tho, if you like the reel, fix it and use it. I've got a TD-Z 105H that between its purchase price and getting it repaired, supertuned and a bearing upgrade has more money in it than I could possibly recuperate. Not a problem for me as I love the reel and it isn't going anywhere. Same thing for an old 5001C as it was my first baitcast reel. Sat for umpteen years as I didn't know how to cast it. Great casting reel now, but needs a longer handle. 2 Quote
WPCfishing Posted November 1, 2015 Posted November 1, 2015 For $30,000.00 I can buy a new car instead fixing the flat tire on my old one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! For $30,000.00 you can buy a woman from a number of different countries too. Pick your poison!! Quote
Molay1292 Posted November 1, 2015 Posted November 1, 2015 Design, materials, weight, bearings, brakes.. I started using bait casters in the early 80's. Back then I owned Shimano Bantams and Bantam Mags. They were the start of the current designs. Those reels were $100-$130 at the time. You can buy a supreme today for $80.00 on eBay that blows them away. Very few backlashes, casting distance. I kind of understand your point but not fully. I don't think that I would use my old ABU's for the same purposes I would use my LP reels for. For an easy 10 - 15 dollar fix he ends up with a great reel for fishing spoonbill, blue cat, flathead, large striper and large hard fighting saltwater fish that most LP reels would struggle with. I don't see a 5600 and Pflueger Supreme being used for the same purposes so maybe that is where our difference in opinion rest. 1 Quote
WPCfishing Posted November 1, 2015 Posted November 1, 2015 I kind of understand your point but not fully. I don't think that I would use my old ABU's for the same purposes I would use my LP reels for. For an easy 10 - 15 dollar fix he ends up with a great reel for fishing spoonbill, blue cat, flathead, large striper and large hard fighting saltwater fish that most LP reels would struggle with. I don't see a 5600 and Pflueger Supreme being used for the same purposes so maybe that is where our difference in opinion rest. You're absolutely right. When I realized this I recommended the Calcutta but they aren't cheap. Go ahead and fix it if you like the reel. It won't break the bank to do it. Use it and enjoy. 1 Quote
Super User Big Bait Fishing Posted November 2, 2015 Super User Posted November 2, 2015 Fix it then shelf it. Buy a Calcutta. i bet that calcutta weighs more than the Abu ........ 1 Quote
WPCfishing Posted November 2, 2015 Posted November 2, 2015 i bet that calcutta weighs more than the Abu ........ Maybe, it's a hell of a reel though. 1 Quote
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